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Tory Burch

The designer turned a tiny line that started in her kitchen into a powerhouse. Now she takes on Fashion Week, homework crises and a sprawling empire with an unfaltering smile

Burch holds one of a string of daily staff meetings in her vibrant orange office.
Photography by Kevin Tachman

By

Adrienne Gaffney

Updated Oct. 26, 2012 9:23 p.m. ET

LESS THAN 10 YEARS AGO, Tory Burch was a star on the New York social scene, with an army of six gorgeous children and step-children, a Main Line pedigree and an apartment in the Pierre Hotel, when she decided—to the skepticism of the fashion crowd—to try her hand at designing. Since setting up shop in Nolita in 2004, countless vanity projects of the rich and famous have been born with fanfare only to fade into oblivion thereafter. Burch is the exception. With a stacked-T logo as instantly recognizable as those of brands established generations prior, the 46-year-old has created an international retail empire, now reportedly worth $2 billion, and has earned the respect of her peers.

A Day With Tory Burch

The success of her line has made clear that sometimes all it really takes to make it are simple, chic clothes. Burch, CEO and designer, has never bought into the notion that great fashion has to be raw or edgy, instead proving that classic sportswear can be just as influential—and develop a devoted following. A rare hiccup occurred this year when her ex-husband and for- mer business partner, Chris Burch, opened C. Wonder, a rival emporium in Manhattan, raising the possibility of a legal skirmish. Tory, who now dates music mogul Lyor Cohen, has been handling the matter quietly, with typical reserve.

A veteran of Ralph Lauren's press department, Burch functions as a walking advertisement for her line. Instantly recognizable by her golden hair, trim figure and impeccable style, she is a source of fascination to the women who wear her clothes—to buy a Burch is to buy a bit of the woman her- self. Her iconic ballet flats are named after her much-adored mother, Reva. The signature caftans, which reached cult status after being adopted by Oprah, convey a kind of blue- blood ease that feels genuine rather than hackneyed—and, more importantly, they happen to flatter a wide range of sizes and ages.

In addition to designing, Burch travels around the globe to promote her brand; leads the Tory Burch Foundation, which helps mentor female entrepreneurs; and oversees a brand Web site that rivals the best lifestyle blogs. Following Burch for a day provides an almost maddening lesson in maintaining the perfect deportment while balancing late-night fittings, lost homework and an endless stream of meetings.